Japan With Adi
You apply to a language school about six months before the term starts. The school applies for your Certificate of Eligibility, and you then get a student visa. First-year fees run from about ¥610,000 to ¥1,900,000, and students may work part-time up to 28 hours a week with permission.
By Aditya Dewangan · Updated 10 October 2026
How does it work?
- Choose a school and an intake. Most schools start in April and October, and many also in July and January.
- Send your documents and proof that you can pay for your studies.
- The school applies to immigration for your Certificate of Eligibility.
- Apply for your student visa at the Embassy or Consulate of Japan.
- Arrive, register, and start classes.
How much does it cost?
Official figures put first-year fees at Japanese language institutions at about ¥610,000 to ¥1,900,000, depending on the course. You also need to plan for housing, food and insurance.
Why start at a language school?
It is full-time Japanese in Japan. From there you can apply to a university or vocational college, or look for work, with a level that would take much longer to reach from home.
Should I learn Japanese before I go?
Yes. Many schools ask for proof of basic study, and arriving with JLPT N5 or N4 means you start at a higher class and settle in faster.